Electrically heated water tank



Feb. 20, 1951 E. w. LOSEE ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER TANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1947 v 17067? 02".- i jig/(e W Jaae 6% M Feb. 20, 1951 E. w. LOSEE ELECTRICALLY HEATED WATER TANK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 8, 1947 tank oi? the kind used for washing milking machines, and the like may be conveniently filled. An arrangement of this general type is fully disclosed and claimed in the above mentioned Losee reissue patent.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the heater comprises a container having an inner metal tank which may be of copper with a capacity of about ten gallons and a heat insulating enclosure surrounding it. Spaced from the inner tank In is an outer metal shell H, which may be of sheet iron enamelled or otherwise appropriately finished comprising a main cylindrical body part i la, a top part 1 lb, and a bottom part I I0. These various parts are welded or otherwise joined to-- gether and the bottom of the part Ha and the edge of the part No form a depending circular flange 52 on the bottom surface of the shell. The inner tank ID is made of an upper part Illa and a bottom part lilb welded or otherwise joined at their contacting edges to form an outwardly extending flange it around the center of the inner tank i0, and the outer shell II is filled with an insulating material M, such as rock wool or fiber glass or the like. While this insulating material may be of the so-called loose type, it is preferably in the form of blocks or brick so that the heat insulating material at the top may be more conveniently removed for removal of the inner tank.

The bottom part lllb of the inner tank is provided with a substantially circular apertur or opening at approximately the center of the bottom. The bottom part lie of the shell is provided with a somewhat larger opening it arranged substantially concentrically with the first opening I5. The bottom opening i5 has an upwardly extending annular flange I! with a cylindrical member 18 of heat insulating material being located inside the flange l1 and extending up to the bottom part lllb of the shell to pre-- vent metal to metal contact between the inner tank It and the shell H. Around the outer surface of the opening 15, there is located an annular supporting member i9 having an upwardlyextending annular flange contacting the inner surface of the opening iii. A circular removable mounting member or plate 20 is adapted to be fastened to the lower surface of the supporting member H! by means of spaced bolts 2| or the like. The plate 20, when in place, serving as a portion of the bottom wall of the water tank. A gasket 22 is provided between the supporting member l9 and the plate 20 in order to aid in preventing leakage between these two members. Mounted on the removable plate 20 and removable therewith is a depending drainage pipe 23 communicating with a hole 24 in the plate 20 to form a drain opening. The pipe 23 is normally closed by a removable plug 35. Located at one side of the pipe 23 is an electric heating member in the form of a U-shaped heating unit 25 having both ends fastened to the plate 253 and extending therethrough. The fastening means includes nuts 25. The heating unit 25 comprises an inner coiled resistance element 21 and an outer protective casing 28 substantially circular in cross-section. The lower ends of the resistance element 21 terminate a predetermined distance above the bottom of the inner tank ID, as an inch or tWo thereabove, and each end is connected to a relatively heavy wire 29, which extends down through the casing 23 and the removable plate 20. This spacing of the resistance element ends above the bottom, and completion of the electrical connections through means which does not heat u provides protection for the resistance element 2'! if the bottom of the inner tank is covered with a built-up layer of sludge, lime or the like that may be flaked oh by expansion and contraction of the unit 25 in the region ofthe element Z'II, If the resistance element 21 extended all the way to the bottom of the tank, the built-up sediment layer would prevent water from contacting the bottom of the heating unit and cooling the resistance element, and thereby cause the element to be more subject to overheating and burning out. As shown in Fig. 4, the resistance element is protected up to the depth indicated by the broken line 30.

On the bottom of the removable plate 23, there is located a conventional thermostat unit 3| to control the operation of the heating unit 25 from "the heat of the water within the inner tank passing through the plate 20. The thermostat unit 3i is ordinarily connected in series with the resistance element 21 with the circuit being comfrom the first flange 32 and thebolts H.

pleted by an ordinary electric cord Hi which may be attached. at its-outer end to a source of electric power. All electric connections, including those to the cord '10,, are located on the bottom of the plate 20. Inca-5e of failure in the heating means, the plate-2il may be removed with the heating unit 25, thermostat 3i, and cord 1i) and the whole may be checked for the source of failure either at the factoryor other service station. The removable plate 20 has a depending outer flange 32 formed integrally therewith and surrounding the thermostat 3i .and all electrical connections. This flange 32 serves to prevent moisture that might leak out around the gasket 22 from contacting the thermostat and the electrical connections.

The bolts Zlyused in fastening the plate 20 to the supporting member 19 are held in holes extending, through the plate 20. These holes provide other possible paths for moisture that might contact the electrical connections. In order to protect the connections still further, a second depending flange 34 is provided spaced inwardly This second flange, as shown, constitutes a part of a second plate 33 fastened to the bottom of the first plate 28 by spot welding or the like. The electrical connections are located within the second flange.

The bottom part 10b of the inner tank is pro .vided with a depending flange 36 on the bottom thereof. This flange is engaged by a shoulder formed in an annular supporting member H of heat insulatingmaterial such as a resin or plastic. Spaced posts 3'l are provided having their tops supporting the member Tit and flange 3'6, and their bottoms resting on the bottom part i ic of the outer shell. Thisconstruction' provides firm support for the inner tank l0.

Thetop Ifla of theinner tank is provided with a large central opening "I2 having an annular collar 3utherearound ofcopper or the like. This opening 72 is preferably in the neighborhood of 6 or 8 inches in diameter. The heat insulating enclosure 14 is provided with a well registering with this openingpthewell being defined by a cylindrical member-39 of sheet metal held in proper position-by cooperation with the collar 38 and a shoulder formed on an annular member 49 of heat insulating material such as a resin or plastic; for example, rubber. The annular memb r Wis qcat dar un zanippe ins l t or in the; top. portion H12. of. shell. I I. and. substantially concentric with the: opening in the tank portion. 1a.. Another shoulder. on. the. annular. member. 4.0 engages the. edges: ofthe; top. opening I3... This toppart. lib hasan. upstanding. flange 4|. defining. the opening; andlbearing against the other shoulder...

A. gasket42 of: rubber or similar. resilientmateriaL is-located'. on topof the. collar ."siL-v The gasket. 42. is adapted to, receive the edges. of a circular,. inverted. dished closure. member 43 having the shape. of a disc. Immediately above. the disc. 43. is av second disc 44,. also dished, with. the convex surfaces. of the. two. discs turned. toward each other. The. top. disc- 44 is provided with a centrally located. collar 45. having a. threaded inner surface adapted to. engage a. threaded cylinder 4.6... The. collar 45' is fastened. to the top disc 44' as. by. welding. or. brazing. The cylinder 46. has an. enlarged. top portion. 41'! provided with a. roughened. outer surface. to. facilitate. manual rotation. The cold. water. supply means. for the heater; includes. a. pipe 48! passing. through the cylinder 46' and both. discs 43. and 44'. At the top of. the water pipe48, therelocated'. a surrounding tube 49- of. metal. This tube 49' also passes through the. cylinder. 4.6 and bears. against the bottom disc. 43. to which. it is. fastened. as by weldin or brazing. On the inner surface. oi. the cylindrical, member 39' forming the well}. there arelocated four. spaced abutments 511i each having adepending inner flange 14 spaced from the cylinder 3.9... These abutments. are. in a substantially horizontal plane. and serve as stop members for the edge of the top disc 44,.which has an upwardly extending. flange. 15 adapted; to be held under. thefianges 14. on. the abutments 50. The top disc 44. bears against. these. abutments as shown Fig. 2 in. order to provide backing means. enabling; the bottom disc 43' to be urged against. the gasket 42 In order'that the assembly of discs 43 and. 44 and cylinder 46. may be easily withdrawn from. andihserted into the well, the bottom. disc 43 normally covers an area less than. the. area described by the inner surfaces of the abutment flanges 14; Also, the top disc 44 is provided with cut-outportionst I" at its edge each slightly larger than an abutment and" spaced similarly tothe spacing ofiv the abutments. When inserting the unit into the well, the bottom disc 43 will; pass betweenthe abutments while the cut;- out portions. 51. may. be passed around"v the abutments 50. When the top disc 44 is: beneath the abutments, the disc may be turned" a few degrees so. that the cut-out portions; no longer register with the abutments; In order'to aid; in turning the. top disc. a pair ofknobs 52 are provided on the. top surface. of the top disc so that these knobs maybe grasped by'the hands: After the discs 43. and; 4.4? are. in place; the cylinder 45 is turned so as to force the two discs 43" and 44 away from each other. This: causes the bottom disc to. bear" against the gasket 42- andprovide sealing contact therewith. The two" discs 4? and 44, as'shown: in the drawings, are stressed somewhat so as to provide" pressure against? the gasket42'.

In addition to" the cold water pipe 4 8", the supply means also includes a short tube 53 at the top thereof and extending, thereabove; The tube 53 isv preferably of a heat insulating material such as a resin or plastic; The tube 53 is preferably fastened to tube 49 by some means such asa clamp (not shown). Communicating with the top of the short tube 53 and: adapted" to-reston:

the. top: or. the. annular member 40,. there is. located a. vessel or opentank 54 having .an inwardly turned. top: edge 55. to. provide. a. splash. shield. The bottom. of. the tank. 54. has a. downwardly extending cylindrical opening 56 whose bottom edge. extends toa point. adjacent to but spaced from. the. top of the first. tube 49'. In the top. of the pipe 48., there is located a strainer means such as afilter screenil. of cup shape having an annular marginal edge adapted to be held between the. bottomof flange 5'6 and the top or the tube. 49.. As shown inF'ig. 1, the top of. the opening 56 is provided with a stopper 58.

The. space between the two discs 43 and 44- provides. a dead air. space of high heat. insulating value. The. well above the. top disc 44 is. also. a dead air. space. providing additional insulation to the interior of the water heater. This. space is preferably filled with. an insulating material. (not shown)'.'..

A farmer can walk up to the. heater with. a bucketfull of coldwater, pour it.in,.set the bucket on the floor underneath. the delivery spigot 59, andthenpull out the stopper 58 in any appropriate manner. when this stopper is pulled out, the cold water flows through the pipe 43. into the bottom of the inner tank [0,. An approximately equal. quantity of water. isdisplaced. from. the top of the tank and is. delivered. through the. spigot 59 to the bucket. or any other desired receptacle. The relationship between. the. water supplied to the tank and water delivered. therefrom is never precisely equal- The delivery action of the spigot 59,.which is of inverted U-shape, acts as a syphon always drawing the water down to the bottom of the inner end of. the syphon. Thus the amount of. water standing in the expansion space is. always. added to the volume of water poured in. For all practical purposes, however, the volume of water delivered is equal to the volume of water poured. in.

When. it is desired to remove the discs 43 and 44' to provide access for cleaning the interior of the heater, the vessel 54 is first lifted oii and the disc 44 is disengaged from the abutment 5.9 in the manner previously described. The discs 43 and 44, cylinder 4%, tube 49, tube 53,. pipe 48, and filter screen 5! are then removed as a. unit from the tank. The inner walls. of the tank can conveniently be inspected and any water therein drainedofl by removal of the bottom plug 35. The interior of the tank may be cleaned byreaching through the opening in the top thereof. The entire tank 1.0 may be removed. from the heater by the method set out in my previously mentioned copending application No. 588,233. The spigot 59 has the same construction as the spigot shown and described'in said copending application with the spigot comprising an. inverted U-shaped' tube having its outer end lower than its inner end and of smaller cross-sectional area than the remainder of the tube. The tube is surrounded by a rubber grommet St at the point where it passes through the outer shell H; The inner end ofthe spigot E'Fi'sheld in a connector member 6'! extending, through the top portion of the. inner tank 50. This. connector has a tapered shoulder at the upper end thereof with the inner end of the spigot 59 having a slip fit within the cylindrical: portion of the connector- This structure is described in greater detail in my copending application No. 568,233 of which this is a continuation-in-part.

The-newwater heater is supported on a number of spaced legs 62 with each leg having the form of a rectangular U-shaped channel of tapering construction substantially larger at the top than at the bottom. The open portion of the U extends toward the center of the heater. The top of the leg 62 has one portion 53 supporting the bottom part lie of the shell and another portion 65 engaging the side of the shell part Ha. The supporting portion 63 has a section 64 of its surface of arcuate shape terminating on its outer end in a shoulder at the side engaging portion 65 against which the flange l2 bears. The center of curvature of the arcuate section 64 is at approximately the top of the side engaging portion 65 of the leg. The bottom of each leg 62 is provided with a bolt 6'! engaging a threaded hole in the bottom of the leg. The entire structure rests on these bolts and the bolts permit adjustment of the effective length of each leg so that the heater may be made level even when resting on uneven surfaces.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the heating member 19E! passes through a hole [ill in the bottom 492 of the water tank, and is held by a top and bottom lock nut Hi3 and W311, respectively, engaging threads on the bottom of the unit Hill. Top and bottom gaskets I04 and lil ia aid in preventing leakage of water through the hole iiil. An electric cord I05 connects the heating unit HIE to a source of electric power. In order to prevent any moisture that might leak out around gaskets Q04 and "Ma from contacting the electrical connection of the cord to theheating unit, an outwardly curved bell-shaped flange IDS is provided attached to the bottom of lock nut H330, and surrounding the electrical connections on the bottom of the heating unit.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A water heater or the like, comprising: a container including a bottom wall having an therein; an electric heating member extending through said opening; means for fas- 2. A water heater or the like, comprising: a water container having an aperture in the, bottom wall; a supporting member non-leakably fixed to the bottom of the container and having an opening in communication with the aperture in the container; a mounting member removably mounted on the supporting member; an electric heating member fixed to the body portion of the mounting member and extending into the interior of the container; a depending flange on the bottom of the mounting member extending below the bottom of said body portion and extending around the bottom of the electric heating member; and means for removably securing and sealing the mounting member to the supporting member.

3. A water heater or the like, comprising: a water container having an aperture in the -ding below the bottom of said body portion,

bottom wall; a supporting membe'rnonleakably fixed to the bottom of the container and having an opening in communication with the aperture in the container; a mounting member removably mounted on the supporting member; an electric heating member fixed to the body portion of the mounting member and extending into the interior of the container; a depending flange at the edge of the mounting member extending around the electric heating member; a second depending flange on the mounting. member spaced inwardiy from the first flange and also extending around the electric heating member, both said depending flanges extending below said body portion; and means for removably securing and sealing the mounting member to the supporting member.

4. A water heater or the like, comprising: a water container having an aperture in the bottom wall; a supporting member non-leakably fixed to the bottom of the container and having an opening in communication with the aperture in the container; a mounting member removably mounted on the supporting member; an electric heating member fixed to the body por tion of the mounting member and extending into the interior of the container; a thermostat fixed to the bottom of said body portion-of the mounting member; means for removably securing and seal-ing the mounting member to the supporting member; a depending flange at the edge of the mounting member extending around the thermostat and electric heating member; and a second depending flange on the mounting member spaced inwardly from the first flange and also extending around the electric heating member and thermostat, both of said flanges extending below said body portion.

5. A Water heater or the like, comprising: a container for liquid to be heated; a supporting member non-leakably fixed to the exterior side of a bottom wall of the container; a mounting member removably fixed to the exterior of the supporting member; an electric heating member fixed in the body portion of the mounting member and extending into the interior of the container; a thermostat unit removably fixed to the exterior of the body portion of the mounting member and arranged to be operated by heat passing through the mounting member from the liquid in the container, the thermostat being electrically connected with the heating member, said thermostat unit and heating member being removable with the mounting member as a unit; and a depending flange on the exterior of the mounting member extending around the bottom of the electric heating membeer and around the thermostat and extending below the bottom of said body portion.

6. A Water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well of substantial area registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to" be received in said well to make sea ing engagement therewith to close said opening; and water supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto.

'7. A water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top there of; a heat-insulating enclosure'for said tank, the enclosurejhavinga well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be received in "said well intermediate the [ends thereof 'to make sealing engagement therewith .to close said opening; andmeans at the top of the heater for supplying waterto the tank and for delivering an approximately equal quantity of water therefrom, the supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto.

8. A water heater or the like of the displacement .type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adaptedto be received in said well to make sealing engagement therewith to close said opening; and means at the top of the heater for supplying water to the tank and for delivering an applQximately equal quantity of water therefromtlie supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom. of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto, and a tank placed over and closing the outer end of said well to provide a dead air space above said closure member.

'9. A water heater of the displacement type, comprising: an'inner tank having an "opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heatinsulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be received in said well intermediate the ends thereof and to make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening; water supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto, and means for holding the closure member in sealing engagement with the well.

10. A water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be received in said well and making sealing engagement with said well to close said opening, said closure member comprising a pair of disc-like members having edges adapted to make sealing engagement with said well; water supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and means adjacent said pipe for holding the closure member in sealing engagement with the well.

11. A water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening, a closure member adapted to be received in said well and make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening, said closure member comprising a pair of dished disc-like members arranged approximately horizontal with their convex surfaces toward each other and having at least one disc edge adapted to make sealing engagement with said well; means for preventing movement of the edges of of the disc-like mem hers away from each other; means for forcing the centers of the disc-like members away from each other to cause the edge of at least one discl ike member .to press against the well by distortion of the disc-like members; water supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and means adjacent said pipe for holding the disc-like members in sealing engagement with the well.

'12. A water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising; an inner tank having-an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure 'having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be received in said well and make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening, said closure member comprising, a pair of dished disc-like members arranged approximately horizontal with their convex surfaces toward each other and hav ing at least one disc edge adapted to make sealing engagement with said well; means for preventing movement of the edges of the disc-like members away from each other; means for forcing the centers of the disc-like members away from each other to cause the edge of at least one disc-like member to press against the well by distortion of the disc-like members; water sup-ply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and means adjacent said pipe for holding the disc-like memhere in sealing engagement with the well and for forcing the centers of the disc-like members away from each other.

13. A water heater or the like of the displace ment type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be re-.

ceived in said well and make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening, said closure member comprising a pair of dished discs arranged approximately horizontal with their convex surfaces toward each other and having at least one disc edge adapted to, make sealing engagement with the inner surface or" said well; means for preventing movement of the edges of the discs away from each other comprising a flange adapted to support the edge of the bottom disc and spaced abutments adapted to support the edge of the top disc, said top disc having cutout portions at its edge each slightly larger than the abutments so that the cut-out portions may be passed around said abutments; water supply means including a pipe passing through holes in said discs at substantially the centers thereof extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and a collar rotatably mounted around the pipe having its bottom bearing against the top of the bottom disc and having screw threads engaging screw threads on said hole in the top disc for forcing the centers of the discs away from each other to cause the edge of at least one disc to press against the well by distortion of the discs.

14. A water heater or the like of the displacement type, comprising: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof;

a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the en-,

closure having a well registering with said open ing; a closure member adapted to be received in said well and make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening, said closure member comprising a pair of dished. discs arranged approximately horizontal with their convex surfaces toward each other and having at least one disc adapted to make sealing engagement with the inner surface of said well; means for preventing movement of the edges of the discs away from each other comprising a flange adapted to support the edge of the bottom disc, said flange having a portion within the well against which the bottom disc bears in sealing engagement therewith; spaced abutments adapted to support the edge of the top disc; cut-out portions in the edge of said top disc each slightly larger than an abutment and spaced similarly to the spacing of the abutments so that the cut-out portions my be passed around said abutments, with said bottom disc normally covering an area less than the area described by the inner surface of said abutments; water supply means including a pipe passing through holes in said discs at substantially the centers thereof extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and a collar rotatably mounted around the pipe having its bottom bearing against the top of the bottom disc and having screw threads engaging screw threads on said hole in the top disc for forcing the centers of the discs away from each other to cause the edge of the top disc to press against the abutments and the edge of the bottom disc to press against the flange by distortion of the discs.

15. A water heater of the displacement type including: an inner tank having an opening of substantial area in the top thereof; a heat-insulating enclosure for said tank, the enclosure having a well registering with said opening; a closure member adapted to be received in said well and to make sealing engagement with said well to close said opening; water supply means including a pipe passing through said closure member and extending to near the bottom of the tank and provided with an opening for discharging water thereinto; and a strainer means at the inlet end of said pipe.

EUGENE W. LOSEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,356,881 Osgood Oct. 26, 1920 1,451,863 Clark 1- Apr. 17, 1923 1,726,789 Wuthrich Sept. 3, 1929 1,750,907 Skold Mar. 18, 1930 1,829,785 Christian Nov. 3, 1931 1,916,861 Hynes et a1. July 4, 1933 1,968,549 Allen July 31, 1934 1,995,000 Hyatt Mar. 19, 1935 2,000,826 Davies May 7, 1935 2,269,448 Ferris Jan. 13, 1942 

